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It's Fun to Play the Piano ... Please Pass It On!

Cheryl, I've missed a lot of days. Sept. 29 through Oct.15 we were visiting my mother-in-law and returned home to find out my mom had a major set back and had to have surgery. While this is all going on, hubby and I both came down with the cold of the century which lasted over 2 weeks. I tried to practice, but it's difficult when I was coughing so hard and long that my eyes were watering and I couldn't see the music. I finally did get some practice in, but now we have to travel again to see my mother-in-law. I'm not sure how long we'll be away. We just need to see her as often as possible right now. My mom's doing OK for the time being. Needless to say, the Nov. recital is out for me. I hoping to be able to record something for the Christmas thread, though. Will keep you posted. Thanks!

Cheryl, I've missed a lot of days. Sept. 29 through Oct.15 we were visiting my mother-in-law and returned home to find out my mom had a major set back and had to have surgery. While this is all going on, hubby and I both came down with the cold of the century which lasted over 2 weeks. I tried to practice, but it's difficult when I was coughing so hard and long that my eyes were watering and I couldn't see the music. I finally did get some practice in, but now we have to travel again to see my mother-in-law. I'm not sure how long we'll be away. We just need to see her as often as possible right now. My mom's doing OK for the time being. Needless to say, the Nov. recital is out for me. I hoping to be able to record something for the Christmas thread, though. Will keep you posted. Thanks!

CMohr, I'm so sorry to hear that both your mom and your mother-in-law have been so unwell. I'm glad your mom is doing ok now and hope that continues to be the case. It sounds like your MIL is in much worse condition, and that has to be very hard to bear.

_________________________ ABF Recitals 18-44Another thing you learn along the way is that the music will still be there when you are ready for it. There's no reason to rush. JimF

I've dropped off for quite a while after coming back from a 5.5 week long Japan trip. I have been excused for that, but for some reason after coming back, I've been feeling unmotivated to practice and it's a struggle to restore my routine of practicing every day.

So far I've had 2 months of on and off practice but not every day. I hope I can get back to the everyday practice because I remember I was looking forward to the practice everyday.

Maybe the reason is because I have forgotten so much after my trip that I struggle more to play the songs I knew and that is unmotivating.

Hi Tim, I had a really long break this summer too and it was hard to get back into the swing of things. I didn't have my lessons to help me through some trouble spots and felt totally stalled out - I understand how discouraging it can be to feel you are not only not making progress but maybe even losing ground! Yikes!

I can only encourage you to be patient with yourself - maybe have a look at some pieces at lower levels and have fun playing them and then start working back to those you were playing just before your long break --- look at the weak spots and focus on those, find something small but important to "conquer" and get some inspiration back! Good luck!

_________________________ ABF Recitals 18-44Another thing you learn along the way is that the music will still be there when you are ready for it. There's no reason to rush. JimF

Hey Raptor, I'm so glad I helped! Sometimes all we need is a friendly ear and a gentle nudge eh? I too hope you get to that "I can't have a day without piano!!!" feeling. I don't mean for MOYD purposes,... but for your heart's pleasure!

_________________________ ABF Recitals 18-44Another thing you learn along the way is that the music will still be there when you are ready for it. There's no reason to rush. JimF

I have missed quite a bit of practice lately and haven't been here to be accountable. I wish to be removed from the MOYD list for this year. The MOYD list starts again on January 1st, correct? If so, I will rejoin at that time. Thanks and good luck to everyone else.

Cheryl, I'm back (again) from visiting my mother-in-law. I missed Nov. 4-9. The rest of the year is shaping up to be one of lots of travel. And although my mom is doing pretty well, I'm going to be helping her a lot in the next few weeks. Knowing that I am going to be missing many days, I wonder if I should just chuck in MYOD for 2012? Not only am I missing much practice, but I also am having to cancel some of my lessons. So much of my schedule is unknown, I'm not quite sure if it's fair that I continue MYOD this year. (?)

I've gone off the rails so badly I haven't even been reporting the days I don't practice. My left wrist is injured, and I'm having trouble getting proper treatment for it, and it's left me really discouraged. I'm trying to keep up with playing by learning some songs just in the right hand and playing scales and cadences and such, but it's not keeping me inspired. I think until the wrist problem resolves itself, or I at least get a proper diagnosis, my heart just won't be in it. I guess I should just withdraw from MOYD. It was the right thing when I was healthy and could play with both hands. My teacher really loved that I practiced everyday, if only for a short time, and she insisted she could see the results. But now... it's just making me feel guilty on top of already being depressed about this.

Mary Ann I'm sorry to hear about your injury. (seems we have a wrist injury epidemic on the forum lately!) I hope you can find out what is wrong with it and heal quickly.

CMohr: don't give up now! there's only a month and a half left to go! No one here will hold time gone against you, most certainly not for every thing that is going on in your life. Hang in there! Even a couple days a week is better than none!

Cheryl, I'm back (again) from visiting my mother-in-law. I missed Nov. 4-9. The rest of the year is shaping up to be one of lots of travel. And although my mom is doing pretty well, I'm going to be helping her a lot in the next few weeks. Knowing that I am going to be missing many days, I wonder if I should just chuck in MYOD for 2012? Not only am I missing much practice, but I also am having to cancel some of my lessons. So much of my schedule is unknown, I'm not quite sure if it's fair that I continue MYOD this year. (?)

CMohr, I'm glad your mom is doing pretty well and that you are able to help her - and I'm sorry that your MIL is still having troubles. From what you've been talking about here, I suspect they are very serious and that there may not be a happy solution.

Not fair to continue MOYD? Not fair to whom? It is YOUR domain, your practice, your achievement.

The purpose of MOYD is personal inspiration. If it helps you to know that you are playing as often as you can when you are able to - then I suggest you stick with it. I'll mark you as Nov-Dec various days for travel and you can stop reporting in every time you have to be away. Or if you prefer, I don't mind in the least updating you for the specific days. Your call. Let me know what you want to do.

Edited by casinitaly (11/13/1206:09 AM)Edit Reason: typos!

_________________________ ABF Recitals 18-44Another thing you learn along the way is that the music will still be there when you are ready for it. There's no reason to rush. JimF

I've gone off the rails so badly I haven't even been reporting the days I don't practice. My left wrist is injured, and I'm having trouble getting proper treatment for it, and it's left me really discouraged. I'm trying to keep up with playing by learning some songs just in the right hand and playing scales and cadences and such, but it's not keeping me inspired. I think until the wrist problem resolves itself, or I at least get a proper diagnosis, my heart just won't be in it. I guess I should just withdraw from MOYD. It was the right thing when I was healthy and could play with both hands. My teacher really loved that I practiced everyday, if only for a short time, and she insisted she could see the results. But now... it's just making me feel guilty on top of already being depressed about this.

Hi MaryAnn, I'm so sorry you are still fighting with your injury. I understand how depressing it is... about a year and a half ago I had about 3 months where I was playing a very limited amount of time and minimal amounts with my right hand.

If your lack of playing is making you feel guilty about your MOYD activities maybe it is better to drop it --- MOYD is only worth while when it adds to your pleasure or helps keep you on track.

Given that you can't be on track even if you want to we can look at it 2 ways -- technically you could be excused for being sick - /injured - and we can see if you might be able to pick things up later in December. On the other hand if the result is still that you feel it hanging over your head as a negative factor, then maybe you should just let it go for now.

Do you understand the cause of the injury? Is it from playing the piano or from something else?

Wishing you all the bestCheryl

_________________________ ABF Recitals 18-44Another thing you learn along the way is that the music will still be there when you are ready for it. There's no reason to rush. JimF

Thanks Cheryl! And thanks too, Becca! I guess I've been so frazzled lately, I haven't really thought about there being only a couple months left in the year. I'll stick with it. Hopefully I can squeeze in time whenever I can.

MaryAnn, I'll also add my two cents to your dilemma. Stick with it, even with one hand, all work is good. We are so close to the end of the year. I hope you can get proper treatment and get back to 2-hand practice!

Hello all. I have been away from the piano since October 8 due to a major health crisis. I have MS, and I had a major relapse that resulted in partial paralysis on my right side. I was completely unable to play piano after the relapse. Thankfully, I have now regained full use of my right arm and hand. I was afraid to try to play, but I finally started playing again on November 20. I have lost a lot of ground, but it feels like I will be back to where I was before the relapse in a few weeks. It really feels good to be making music again!

Hello all. I have been away from the piano since October 8 due to a major health crisis. I have MS, and I had a major relapse that resulted in partial paralysis on my right side. I was completely unable to play piano after the relapse. Thankfully, I have now regained full use of my right arm and hand. I was afraid to try to play, but I finally started playing again on November 20. I have lost a lot of ground, but it feels like I will be back to where I was before the relapse in a few weeks. It really feels good to be making music again!

Oh, wow, that is a major crisis. You must have been worried to bits, on top of feeling so very unwell. I am so very very happy to hear thatyou have regained use of your right hand and arm-- what about your legs? I hope and pray you continue to heal and get stronger - welcome back and enjoy the thrill of making music again!

_________________________ ABF Recitals 18-44Another thing you learn along the way is that the music will still be there when you are ready for it. There's no reason to rush. JimF

l just wanted to say thank you for taking care of the MOYD thread all year. It is a great device for keeping me focused on the importance of every day practice. At the first whiff of laziness my thoughts turn immediately to the unhappy prospect of coming here to fess up. More than once that has resulted in getting my butt to the bench when I might have let a day slip.

Merry Christmas to all of you too! I'll second Jim's thank you. This thread has done wonders for me. I went from struggling to practice everyday to increasing my time everyday! It helped to know others were trying to accomplish the same thing with many of the same issues!